One difficulty I always have with mapping is determining a reasonable density of rivers.
This provides an interesting answer - when in doubt, more waterways. Doesn't really show size, but I get the impression that I should never be afraid to throw a creek into a wilderness encounter, or to have ambushers hiding in a dry streambed.
One thing you can guide on, or build on, is the fact that rivers/streams are not only sources of water, but also cheap transport routes - which places lots of settlements next to waterways. The size of the waterway will determine the size of the town and the type of traffic, of course. You can have random encounter on the river as well as by it. By contrast, any village/hamlet that does not have a notable water source nearby will take some explaining for how it sustains itself.
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